Cardinals Must Consider Trading for a Starter After Moving Struggling Michael Wacha Back to Bullpen

For the second time this season Michael Wacha is heading back to the bullpen. The former All-Star has struggled mightily with a 5.54 ERA in 76.1 IP with only 62 strikeouts.

The Cardinals rotation has gone through plenty of issues this season. Miles Mikolas and Jack Flaherty have not matched their production from last season and Carlos Martinez had been out with injury and is now stuck in the bullpen as their closer.

Rookie Dakota Hudson and veteran Adam Wainwright have surprisingly been the two stabilizing forces in their rotation. To make a run at taking control of the division, there needs to be at least another quality arm with the starters.

Considering the assets the Cardinals would have to give up in order to trade for Madison Bumgarner, Marcus Stroman or another quality arm, a deadline swap seems very unlikely. So where do the Cardinals go from here?

Fellow NL Central competitors Tanner Roark and Jordan Lyles could possibly be options, but both come with downsides. Roark is owed $10 million this season and Lyles has not been the same since his return from injury.

Their best options will have to come from mid-level veteran pitchers. These include former Cardinal Mike Leake or veteran lefty Jason Vargas. Both of these guys come with uncertainty, but both are familiar with the league and have a strong understanding of how to win.

The Cardinals need reinforcements quickly and look to have ran out of options within their organization. They do not need to make a big splash by trading for an ace, but another arm certainly needs to join the rotation.